SQW has extensive experience of providing public and private sector clients with strategic and tactical advice on physical development proposals. In undertaking this work we draw upon extensive skills in terms of both development economics and town and country planning. Our experience includes advising on spatially-focused transport, housing and economic priorities – particularly those planning to accommodate significant growth.
SQW regularly develops evidence-based strategies for long term economic development which address the delivery challenges of physical development and infrastructure. As result of this work we have acquired very up-to-date knowledge of and insight into potential future trends regarding the planning and funding of infrastructure and residential and commercial development schemes. Another key theme of recent assignments has been the requirement to balance regional growth or regeneration ambitions with sustainability objectives. We have particular experience of understanding how development proposals might be constrained by limitations on the future capacity and investment plans for key infrastructures.
At a tactical level SQW is frequently involved in helping to ‘make the case’ for individual projects, in terms of both obtaining planning permissions and securing public and/or private sector funding contributions
Examples of SQW projects
Redevelopment of Coventry City Centre
SQW was commissioned by Advantage West Midlands (working with Coventry City Council) to provide ongoing consultancy support regarding the proposed £2.2 billion redevelopment of Coventry city centre. The redevelopment will include new retail, leisure and cultural facilities, together with new Grade A office accommodation and improved public realm and public transport provision. SQW’s role focused on providing a full socio-economic impact assessment of the scheme and a Green Book appraisal of the proposed AWM financial contribution to the scheme.
Northstowe Development Study
SQW was commissioned by Gallagher Estates (and English Partnerships) to investigate a range of issues relating to the employment and economic development roles of Northstowe, a major new settlement to the north of Cambridge. Our work considered the likely social characteristics of Northstowe’s population and their implications in terms of employment roles and potential. We considered the potential for the use of employment land at high densities in knowledge-based sectors which would be closely linked to the wider Cambridge cluster. We also examined future prospects for home working.
Urban Extension Project in South East England
SQW advised on a large (3,500 dwelling) urban extension scheme located in the South East for a developer client. Our role on this assignment was to quantify and otherwise demonstrate the contributions the proposed scheme will make to regional and sub-regional planning policy and economic strategy. The work also involved identifying and testing demand (in terms of scale, quality and timing) for a proposed high technology employment park, hotels, retail and commercial leisure.
Cambridgeshire Development Study
The Cambridgeshire Development Study sought to explore the sustainability of different long term spatial options for Cambridgeshire, and it formed an input into the review of the Regional Spatial Strategy. SQW’s inputs focused around two workstreams: economy and demography. In terms of the former, we examined baseline projections, considered the possible impact of known investments (e.g. Cambridgeshire Guided Busway) and we sought to define distinctive and sustainable roles for sub-areas within the county, based around exogenous growth processes. The demography workstream considered population projections, changing demographic structures and the implications for labour supply.
Leeds Arena Economic Appraisal
SQW was commissioned to provide support to Yorkshire Forward’s Strategic Property Department in their submission of a bid to secure funding for the proposed Leeds Arena. The study included a cost-benefit analysis, market assessment and market failures analysis, and options and scenario testing.
Economic Impact Assessment of Redevelopment in Hereford
SQW undertook an economic impact assessment of a major redevelopment scheme in Hereford, in support of a CPO application and a funding bid. The development scheme included a major new retail, leisure and cultural quarter and 1,000 new dwellings on 40 hectares of land near the city centre.
Asset Transfer Unit Evaluation
SQW was appointed to evaluate the work and impact of the Asset Transfer Unit (ATU) over their first two years of operation. The ATU is operated by the Development Trusts Association in partnership with Communities and Local Government and other stakeholders, and aims to promote the transfer of land and buildings from the public sector to community ownership and management. The evaluation involved a national survey, case studies, action learning, regular reports and capacity building of the ATU.
Wrexham Industrial Estate Access Road
SQW advised Wrexham County Borough Council on the economic development and regeneration justification for their CPO case regarding a major new piece of road infrastructure that will serve one of the country’s Strategic Employment Sites (as identified in the Wales Spatial Plan). We provided expert witness evidence, and assisted the Council with developing the case to Welsh Assembly Government for the funding of the project. Specifically, in terms of the funding case we provided the Economic Activity and Location Impact Assessment (EALI) in accordance with WelTAG guidance.
Identifying Office Occupier Demand in Derby
SQW was appointed to advise Derby City Council on the strengths and weaknesses of Derby as a potential location for private sector office occupiers. The focus of SQW’s input was to assess the competitiveness of Derby’s labour market and skills base, levels of entrepreneurship, higher education and research assets, and the quality of life offering, particularly in respect of cultural and leisure assets. The advice was used to help shape the marketing strategy for attracting office occupiers to Derby, and it was also used as a input to city centre development strategy, in particular on the potential phasing and sequencing of development sites.
Research on Planning for Cycling
This study, carried out for Cycling England, produced a series of case studies that were used to demonstrate the benefits of building cycling into the planning process rather than ‘retro-fitting’ infrastructure at a later date. The case studies sought to show how the investments had generated new cycling and estimated the value of these impacts.